Arsenal legend tells Arsene Wenger: You have to do this with Alexis Sanchez…. and fast!

The Chilean international, who moved to the Emirates last summer from Barcelona, was denied a long summer holiday due to his international commitments with Chile - who lifted the Copa America trophy in early July.

Sanchez's lack of rest has severely affected his performances this season and he has looked visibly fatigued in recent weeks.

A large number of Arsenal fans have called on Wenger to rest the £32.5m man in order to avoid him suffering burnout later on in the season.

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“He's got to be saved from himself almost because he's so enthusiastic”

Alan Smith

And Smith, who spent seven years with the north Londoners, has joined those fans by urging the Frenchman to rest the 26-year-old for Saturday's game against West Brom.

"I think Arsene Wenger was thinking about resting him anyway," Smith said, "Because you've just got to be careful.

"He doesn't know when to stop running, he doesn't know when to stop training during the week. He's got to be saved from himself almost because he's so enthusiastic.

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RUNNING ON FUMES: Sanchez

"Arsene Wenger will be looking carefully at that, looking carefully at how much he's played for Chile - whether he decides to rest him on Saturday.

"But he's one of those that carries his team-mates along with him with his infectious enthusiasm, his work ethic and above all his quality.

"The team's not going to be quite the same without him, but they've got to be careful they don't overdo him."